Patellofemoral Pain SyndromeNCT07290296
Popliteus Muscle Release Versus Kinesio Taping
A study testing Traditional Physical Therapy Treatment, Popliteus Muscle Release and Kinesio Taping in people with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
Trial summary
The aim of the current study is to compare the effect of popliteus muscle release and Kinesio taping on pain intensity, function, dynamic balance, and quadriceps muscle strength in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- What is being tested?
- Traditional Physical Therapy Treatment, Popliteus Muscle Release and Kinesio Taping
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 48 participants
- Where
- 1 siteEgypt
- Study dates
- 10 Jan 2026to May 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 30 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- Patients of both genders with an age range of 18-30 years old.
- minimum 3-month history of patellofemoral pain.
- a pain score for worst pain intensity during the previous week of 3 or more on a Visual Analog Scale (0-10, most pain).
- reproduced by at least two of the following activities: Stair ascent or descent, hopping, running, prolonged sitting, squatting, or kneeling and present on at least one of the following clinical tests: Compression of the patella or palpation of the patellar facets.
Who cannot join
- Clinical, x-ray, or MRI findings indicative of other specific pathology, including osteoarthritis, meniscal, ligament, or cartilage injury, or apophysitis.
- recurrent patellar subluxation or dislocation.
- cortisone use over an extended period of time.
- previous surgery to the knee joint; trauma to the knee joint affecting the presenting clinical condition.
- physiotherapy or other similar exercises for patellofemoral pain syndrome within the previous 3 months.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
About this study
Official title: Popliteus Muscle Release Versus Kinesio Taping on Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
The aim of the current study is to compare the effect of popliteus muscle release and Kinesio taping on pain intensity, function, dynamic balance, and quadriceps muscle strength in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Read the detailed description
Patellofemoral pain syndrome has been described as one of the most perplexing and clinically challenging chronic disorders.
Symptoms usually include diffuse pain originating from the anterior aspect of the patella and commonly along the medial aspect of the knee. It therefore limits daily activities that need loading on a flexed knee. There is a high incidence, especially among runners, with patellofemoral pain syndrome accounting for 46% of running-related injuries. However, the etiology of this disorder remains vague and controversial. This is reflected in the lack of consensus on how patellofemoral pain syndrome should be treated clinically. Patellofemoral pain syndrome participants have demonstrated abnormal gait patterns with decreased stance phase knee flexion, decreased walking velocity, and decreased muscle activity of the quadriceps musculature. Restoration of normal gait kinematics may be an important component of improving function.
The soft tissue manipulation decreased knee pain and improved muscle activity. Therefore, incorporating popliteus manipulation can be effective in the treatment of anterior knee pain.
Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses of Kinesio Taping treatment in different knee or musculoskeletal problems have been published in recent years. The support taping could reduce pain as an adjunct to traditional exercise therapy in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Kinesio Taping has a significant effect on pain reduction, motor function improvement, and muscle activity change.
So, the current study will help to determine the effect of myofascial release and Kinesio Taping of the popliteus muscle on patellofemoral pain syndrome.
- Conditions
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- Being tested
- Traditional Physical Therapy Treatment, Popliteus Muscle Release, Kinesio Taping
- Medical subject headings
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Traditional Physical Therapy TreatmentOther
Quadriceps strength, hip abduction strength, hip extension strength, hamstring stretch, gait training
Popliteus Muscle ReleaseOther
Myofascial release for the popliteus muscle
Kinesio TapingOther
Kinesio tape on the popliteus muscle
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group | Active comparator | The control group will receive traditional physical therapy treatment at the painful anterior knee, which includes quadriceps strength, hip abduction strength, hip extension strength, hamstring stretch, and gait training. Receives: Other: Traditional Physical Therapy Treatment |
| Study Group 1 | Active comparator | Study group 1 will receive traditional treatment as the control group plus release to the popliteus muscle. Receives: Other: Traditional Physical Therapy Treatment; Other: Popliteus Muscle Release |
| Study Group 2 | Active comparator | Study group 2 will receive traditional treatment as the control group plus Kinesio tape on the popliteus muscle. Receives: Other: Traditional Physical Therapy Treatment; Other: Kinesio Taping |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Pain intensity
by visual analogue scale The visual analogue scale represents the pain range that a patient thinks they might experience. The line is typically 10 centimeters long, with anchor descriptors such as (in the pain context) "no pain" and "worst pain imaginable." The patient makes a mark reflecting his or her perception, and the distance from the left endpoint to the mark is measured in centimeters. Higher scores represent worse pain.
Measured: It will be assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks.
Knee Function
by kujala scale The Arabic Kujala Patellofemoral Disorder scale, also called the anterior knee pain scale, is composed of 13 multiple-choice questions, each contributing to a total score ranging from 0 to 100. A higher score indicates better knee function and less pain, while a lower score reflects greater pain and disability.
Measured: It will be assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks.
Balance
by Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT)
Measured: It will be assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks.
Secondary outcomes (1)
Quadriceps Strength
by handheld dynamometer
Measured: It will be assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted18 Dec 2025
- Study start10 Jan 2026
- Primary completionMay 2026 (estimated)
- Study completionMay 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Patellofemoral Pain SyndromeStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Cairo UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 48 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Hafsa Hesham Abdullah, Cairo University
- Investigators
- Hafsa He Abdullah, MSc, Principal investigator, Cairo University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07290296
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 012/005805
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 5 Dec 2025
- Last updated
- 28 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 28 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Popliteus Muscle Release Versus Kinesio Taping on Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07290296
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 012/005805
- Conditions
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 48 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Cairo UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 10 Jan 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- May 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- May 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 18 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The aim of the current study is to compare the effect of popliteus muscle release and Kinesio taping on pain intensity, function, dynamic balance, and quadriceps muscle strength in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Detailed description
Patellofemoral pain syndrome has been described as one of the most perplexing and clinically challenging chronic disorders.
Symptoms usually include diffuse pain originating from the anterior aspect of the patella and commonly along the medial aspect of the knee. It therefore limits daily activities that need loading on a flexed knee. There is a high incidence, especially among runners, with patellofemoral pain syndrome accounting for 46% of running-related injuries. However, the etiology of this disorder remains vague and controversial. This is reflected in the lack of consensus on how patellofemoral pain syndrome should be treated clinically. Patellofemoral pain syndrome participants have demonstrated abnormal gait patterns with decreased stance phase knee flexion, decreased walking velocity, and decreased muscle activity of the quadriceps musculature. Restoration of normal gait kinematics may be an important component of improving function.
The soft tissue manipulation decreased knee pain and improved muscle activity. Therefore, incorporating popliteus manipulation can be effective in the treatment of anterior knee pain.
Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses of Kinesio Taping treatment in different knee or musculoskeletal problems have been published in recent years. The support taping could reduce pain as an adjunct to traditional exercise therapy in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Kinesio Taping has a significant effect on pain reduction, motor function improvement, and muscle activity change.
So, the current study will help to determine the effect of myofascial release and Kinesio Taping of the popliteus muscle on patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 3
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group | Active comparator | Other: Traditional Physical Therapy TreatmentThe control group will receive traditional physical therapy treatment at the painful anterior knee, which includes quadriceps strength, hip abduction strength, hip extension strength, hamstring stretch, and gait training. |
| Study Group 1 | Active comparator | Other: Traditional Physical Therapy Treatment, Other: Popliteus Muscle ReleaseStudy group 1 will receive traditional treatment as the control group plus release to the popliteus muscle. |
| Study Group 2 | Active comparator | Other: Traditional Physical Therapy Treatment, Other: Kinesio TapingStudy group 2 will receive traditional treatment as the control group plus Kinesio tape on the popliteus muscle. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Patients of both genders with an age range of 18-30 years old.
- minimum 3-month history of patellofemoral pain.
- a pain score for worst pain intensity during the previous week of 3 or more on a Visual Analog Scale (0-10, most pain).
- reproduced by at least two of the following activities: Stair ascent or descent, hopping, running, prolonged sitting, squatting, or kneeling and present on at least one of the following clinical tests: Compression of the patella or palpation of the patellar facets.
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Clinical, x-ray, or MRI findings indicative of other specific pathology, including osteoarthritis, meniscal, ligament, or cartilage injury, or apophysitis.
- recurrent patellar subluxation or dislocation.
- cortisone use over an extended period of time.
- previous surgery to the knee joint; trauma to the knee joint affecting the presenting clinical condition.
- physiotherapy or other similar exercises for patellofemoral pain syndrome within the previous 3 months.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Physical Therapy TreatmentQuadriceps strength, hip abduction strength, hip extension strength, hamstring stretch, gait training | Other | Control Group, Study Group 1, Study Group 2 |
| Popliteus Muscle ReleaseMyofascial release for the popliteus muscle | Other | Study Group 1 |
| Kinesio TapingKinesio tape on the popliteus muscle | Other | Study Group 2 |
Primary outcome
Pain intensity
Time frame: It will be assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks.
by visual analogue scale The visual analogue scale represents the pain range that a patient thinks they might experience. The line is typically 10 centimeters long, with anchor descriptors such as (in the pain context) "no pain" and "worst pain imaginable." The patient makes a mark reflecting his or her perception, and the distance from the left endpoint to the mark is measured in centimeters. Higher scores represent worse pain.
Knee Function
Time frame: It will be assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks.
by kujala scale The Arabic Kujala Patellofemoral Disorder scale, also called the anterior knee pain scale, is composed of 13 multiple-choice questions, each contributing to a total score ranging from 0 to 100. A higher score indicates better knee function and less pain, while a lower score reflects greater pain and disability.
Balance
Time frame: It will be assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks.
by Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT)
1 secondary outcome
Quadriceps Strength
Time frame: It will be assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 28 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
Related trials for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
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Effects of Telerehabilitation Versus Supervised Rehabilitation Protocol on Pain, Range of Motion and Functional Recovery in Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome.
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MRI Study of Musculoskeletal Function
Abnormalities, Imaging
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Comparison of High-Intensity and Conventional Physical Therapy in Musculoskeletal Disorders
Low Back Pain, Radicular Syndrome
Active, not recruiting
Stabilization vs Corrective Exercise in PFP
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Not yet recruiting
Effectiveness of Selected Traditional Chinese Medicine Topical Agents on Long Distance Runner Versus Exercise Therapy as Control for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Hafsa He Abdullah, MSc principal investigator
Cairo University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Traditional Physical Therapy Treatment, Popliteus Muscle Release and Kinesio Taping in people with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, run by Cairo University at 1 site in Egypt.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Egypt. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Hafsa He Abdullah, MSc (01007069080, Hafsahesham55@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Pain intensity (time frame: It will be assessed at baseline and after 4 weeks.). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 28 May 2026.